News Article Used: Human Gut Loaded with More Bacteria Than Thought
Original Research Paper: Gut Reaction: Pyrosequencing Provides the Poop on Distal Gut Bacteria
Link to Original Research Paper
1) The news article used states that our bodies contain many more bacterial bodies than previously imagined. The article goes on to say that the previous estimate of roughly 500 distinct types of microbes living in the human colon is far lower than what has been discovered through a technique called pyrosequencing. Now, it has been determined that at least 5600 distinct species of bacterial bodies have been dwelling within the colon. The original research paper justifies this claim, as it confirms through various rRNA gene sequences and pyrosequencing.
2) The author of the original research paper, Kira O'Day, discussed the adverse effects of antibiotics in her conclusion. The conclusion showed that no significant decline in function was evident. This conclusion was, for the most part, absent from the news article used.
3) The original research paper does not have any statistical confidence, but appears very certain about their claim. Pyrosequencing has long been used in quantifying the richness of bacterial organisms in various environments. Although this is the first time this technique has been used on humans, O'Day does not show any hesitation in her claims. The news article does not appear to touch on the degree of uncertainty in any aspect of the study.
4) The news article does indeed touch on the "big picture," as the article concludes with the hopes that pyrosequencing will one day be used to determine how antibiotics affect the beneficial bacteria living inside of us. I found this to be very relevant because ultimately, the majority of these scientific findings and procedures are directed in the hopes of helping the general public.
5) This news article does not appear to be rejecting any previous hypothesis. It is actually a novel idea, applying the pyrosequencing technique to humans. So, it will be likely that this research paper goes under scrutiny by the scientific community in order to further or alter O' Day's claims.
6) The news article does not appear to touch on any alternative hypothesis. This old technique applied in a new way is the first of its kind in this field. Once this technique has been used more thoroughly on various other areas of health will an alternative hypothesis most likely surface.